Intro - Sexual Assault Prevention and SupportReport Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Violence

Sexual misconduct of any kind or any form of violence is inconsistent with the University’s values and incompatible with the safe, healthy environment that the University of St. Thomas community expects. All members of this community share responsibility for creating and maintaining an environment which promotes the safety and dignity of each individual. The most egregious form of sexual harassment and misconduct is sexual assault, which is an affront to justice that will not be tolerated at the University of St. Thomas. Federal laws view sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and related violence as forms of sexual harassment and discrimination prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972, and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. Sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and related violence also violates state law as well as University policy. Employees, students, or guests found responsible for sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or related violence will ordinarily face outcomes up to and including dismissal from the University and may include criminal prosecution.

The University believes that no person should bear the effects of sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or related violence alone. When sexual misconduct, sexual assault or some form of related violence occurs, the University’s paramount concern is for the safety, health and well-being of those impacted. To support and assist employees and students, the University provides a wide range of services and resources. Please see the section below on Resources for Medical, Counseling and Pastoral Care.
DefinitionsDefinitions

Physical acts of assault or threats of assault, detainment, or unwanted touching committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the person subjected to such violence.

Physical acts of assault or threats of assault, detainment, or unwanted touching committed by: (1) a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim; (2) a person with whom the victim shares a child in common; (3) a person who is cohabiting with, or has cohabitated with, the victim as a spouse or intimate partner; (4) a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the State of Texas; or (5) any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws in the State of Texas.
Non-consensual sexual penetration or non-consensual sexual touching / contact
Any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, physical, graphic, or otherwise
Occurs when an individual takes non-consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another for one’s own advantage or benefit, or to benefit or advantage anyone other than the one being exploited
Threatening another with a non-consensual sex act such as engaging in indecent exposure. Violence against another person can take many forms. Violence, in the context of the UST policy, includes domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.

A broad term used by the University to identify a number of forms of harassment based on sex. Sexual Misconduct includes the following specifically defined forms of behavior: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, and Sexual Exploitation. Other forms of conduct prohibited include all forms of Interpersonal Violence to include Intimate Partner Violence (domestic and dating violence) and stalking (regardless of if the stalking occurs in the context of an intimate relationship). All forms of gender-based harassment, complicity, and retaliation are also prohibited.

Occurs when a person engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress.
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